Reflections On The Lake
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"Bees have different jobs that are given to them at birth and they have that job throughout life. Some clean the cells out, some feed the brood, some feed the queen, some act as sentries at the hive opening, and most are foragers. The foragers go out into the fields to collect pollen and nectar. They all have a specific job, it is very well organized." Peter Lyle, beekeeper |
| Out-of-State Boater Decals To Fund Weed Prevention |
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| Written by NHLA | |
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Under the proposed "Boater Education Decal" legislation initiated by The New Hampshire Lakes Assocation (NHLA) and sponsored by Representative Chris Christensen, both in-state and out-of-state motorized vessels (including sailboats over 12 feet in length) will be required to display a boater education decal in addition to their boat registration number in order to legally operate in New Hampshire's inland public waters (tidal waters and ponds under 10 acres are excluded). The cost of the annual decal will be $20.00 for out-of-state boaters, $6.00 of which will be directed to the milfoil prevention and control program. In-state boaters will pay their decal fee when their boat is registered. The decal will be available for purchase through any agent already responsible for registering boats in NH (Safety Services, marinas, etc.). Milfoil Control NHLA's boater education decal will provide a necessary increase in funding for milfoil control. While NHLA's lake host program has been instrumental in eliminating many would-be milfoil infestations, there are many lakes that it cannot cover because funding just simply does not exist. Further, it is preventative in nature and is not designed to address the mitigation of actual milfoil invasions (which involves hand pulling, the laying of benthic barriers, and herbicide applications). Many of these infestations must be addressed at the municipal level where unfortunately, adequate funding does not exist.
Dams are essential so that the waters the dams impound can continue to provide habitat for wildlife and economic and recreational benefits to all New Hampshire citizens and the thousands of visitors who use our public water annually. Further, the proper maintenance of our dams will help to ensure the safety of those who make their home on and use these waters. A portion of the revenue the Boater Education Decal garners will be applied to the dam maintenance fund. New Hampshire's dam maintenance fund is virtually insolvent. Its financial shortfall was estimated by a recent legislative study committee report from $700,000 to $1,000,000 per year over the next five (5) years. This same study committee also concluded that, since the dams could not be dismantled or turned over to others, another source of funding would need to be found to fill this gap. However, the legislature has since failed to agree on what this alternative would be, leaving the status and maintenance of our dams in peril. The Boater Education Decal would direct $6.00 of the revenue it generates from each boat towards the dam maintenance fund. We estimate that this may provide between $300,000 and $900,000 of the funding the fund needs to survive.
The proposed decal will seek to remedy the public's safety concerns by generating revenue to educate out-of-state boaters on NH's marine laws and provide more adequate funding for their enforcement. Of the revenue garnered from each boat, $4.00 would be distributed to New Hampshire's "Navigation and Safety Fund," which appropriates money to the Department of Safety for the sole use of investing in marine safety and enforcement. At the Lake Winnipesaukee speed limit hearing, held on September 25, in Meredith, a rare consensus was expressed by both motorized boaters and other lake enthusiasts alike that two of the most critical problems affecting our lakes and ponds are a lack of boater education and funding for enforcement of NH's marine laws.
NHLA's proposed decal would further distribute $2.00 of the revenue collected from each boat to the maintenance of NH's public access sites. Providing and maintaining access to NH's lakes and ponds comes at a substantial cost due to the large number of lakes and ponds which are found in the state. There is a constantly evolving need for improvement or repair to keep these access points in reasonable working order. The NH Fish and Game Department is the primary agency charged with maintaining these sights. However, with a budget deficit, Fish and Game is not in a position whereby it can expend an adequate amount of money to keep these sites properly maintained. Click Here for the story in the Nashua Telegraph: Visiting Boaters Could Face Fee Click Here for the story in the Laconia Citizen : Boater Education Decal Law In The Works Click Here for the NH Lakes Assocation Home Page : www.nhlakes.org |
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PLIA Mission Statement
The Pawtuckaway Lake Improvement Association (PLIA) is a Private, Non-Profit Organization formed to monitor and act upon environmental and safety issues in the Pawtuckaway Lake Watershed area. The PLIA also provides education, information, recreation and other services to its members.
The Association routinely conducts water quality sampling under the New Hampshire Volunteer Lake Assessment program of the State of New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. Other activities (sailboat races, fishing derbies, etc.) may be coordinated by the Association, but are funded by program participants.
